U.S. patent number 10,994,290 [Application Number 16/359,434] was granted by the patent office on 2021-05-04 for spray system with rail mounting for an agricultural machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CNH Industrial America LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is CNH Industrial America LLC. Invention is credited to Roy A. Bittner, Steven Winkel.
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United States Patent |
10,994,290 |
Bittner , et al. |
May 4, 2021 |
Spray system with rail mounting for an agricultural machine
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a spray system for an
agricultural machine in which multiple spray nozzles for spraying a
liquid product can be dynamically arranged in number and location
along a preconfigured rail acting as a boom. Each spray nozzle can
include an attachment arrangement for conveniently attaching,
tightening, loosening and/or detaching the spray nozzle with
respect to the rail. In one aspect, the attachment arrangement can
comprise a fastener configured to tighten or loosen a clip with
respect to a body for engaging the rail. A separate product line
for supplying liquid product to the spray nozzles can flexibly
include numerous ports, more than there are spray nozzles, with
some ports attaching to spray nozzles via branch lines, and other
ports being sealed to inhibit flow.
Inventors: |
Bittner; Roy A. (Cato, WI),
Winkel; Steven (Kiel, WI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CNH Industrial America LLC |
New Holland |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CNH Industrial America LLC (New
Holland, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005528037 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/359,434 |
Filed: |
March 20, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20200298257 A1 |
Sep 24, 2020 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G
25/09 (20130101); B05B 3/18 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
3/18 (20060101); A01G 25/09 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;239/173 ;285/63,124.1
;138/30,92,116 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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105597975 |
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Nov 2017 |
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CN |
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2020070090122 |
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Jan 2008 |
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DE |
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2012087859 |
|
Jun 2012 |
|
WO |
|
2012088014 |
|
Jun 2012 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Le; Viet
Assistant Examiner: Cernoch; Steven M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Henkel; Rebecca L. DeMille; Rickard
K.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A spray system for an agricultural machine, comprising: a nozzle
assembly for spraying a liquid product; an attachment arrangement
coupled to the nozzle assembly, the attachment arrangement and the
nozzle assembly together forming a nozzle system, and a product
line coupled to the nozzle system, the product line being
configured to supply the liquid product to the nozzle system,
wherein the nozzle system is configured to move along a rail
through a plurality of positions upon unlocking the attachment
arrangement with respect to the rail, and wherein the nozzle system
is configured to securely mount to a given position of the
plurality of positions for spraying a liquid product upon locking
the attachment arrangement with respect to the rail; wherein the
nozzle system is configured to slide laterally along the rail upon
unlocking the attachment arrangement; wherein the product line
comprises a plurality of apertures for supplying the liquid
product, wherein a first aperture of the plurality of apertures is
coupled to the attachment arrangement by a branch line, and wherein
a second aperture of the plurality of apertures is sealed to
inhibit the flow of liquid product, the second aperture being
adjacent to the first aperture.
2. The spray system of claim 1, wherein the attachment arrangement
comprises a fastener configured to tighten or loosen the attachment
arrangement with respect to the rail.
3. The spray system of claim 2, wherein the attachment arrangement
further comprises a clip movable with respect to a body, wherein
the fastener is configured to tighten or loosen the clip with
respect to the body.
4. The spray system of claim 3, wherein the clip and the body are
configured to attach around opposing lips of the rail.
5. The spray system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle system is
configured to slide laterally along the rail upon unlocking the
attachment arrangement.
6. The spray system of claim 1, wherein the product line is coupled
to the attachment arrangement of the nozzle system by a flexible
hose.
7. The spray system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly
comprises an orifice and an electronically controlled solenoid for
opening and closing the orifice.
8. A self-propelled agricultural vehicle, comprising: a chassis
supporting a cab and having a plurality of wheels for moving the
vehicle; a liquid product application system supported by the
chassis, the liquid product application system comprising a rail
and a plurality of nozzle systems, each nozzle system including: a
nozzle assembly for spraying a liquid product; an attachment
arrangement coupled to the nozzle assembly, and a product line
coupled to each nozzle system, the product line being configured to
supply the liquid product to each nozzle system; wherein each
nozzle system is configured to move along the rail through a
plurality of positions upon unlocking the attachment arrangement
with respect to the rail, and wherein each nozzle system is
configured to securely mount to a given position of the plurality
of positions for spraying a liquid product upon locking the
attachment arrangement with respect to the rail; wherein each
nozzle system is configured to allow liquid product to flow through
the attachment arrangement and the nozzle assembly; wherein the
product line comprises a plurality of apertures for supplying the
liquid product, wherein a first set of apertures of the plurality
of apertures are coupled to the attachment arrangements by branch
lines, and wherein a second set of apertures of the plurality of
apertures are sealed to inhibit the flow of liquid product.
9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the attachment arrangement
comprises a fastener configured to tighten or loosen the attachment
arrangement with respect to the rail.
10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the attachment arrangement
further comprises a clip movable with respect to a body, wherein
the fastener is configured to tighten or loosen the clip with
respect to the body.
11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the rail comprises opposing
lips, and wherein the clip and the body are configured to attach
around the opposing lips.
12. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein each nozzle system is
configured to slide laterally along the rail upon unlocking the
attachment arrangement.
13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the product line is coupled to
the attachment arrangement of each nozzle system by a flexible
hose.
14. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the rail comprises a plurality
of marks identifying the plurality of positions.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to agricultural machines, such as
self-propelled sprayers and, in particular, to a spray system for
an agricultural machine having a nozzle assembly for spraying a
liquid product and an attachment arrangement coupled to the nozzle
assembly, the attachment arrangement and the nozzle assembly
together forming a nozzle system, in which the nozzle system is
moveable along a rail through multiple positions upon unlocking and
securely mountable to a given position upon locking.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Agricultural machines, such as self-propelled sprayers, are getting
larger to increase operating efficiency, such as by covering more
area in a single pass of a spraying session. Spray nozzles in such
systems are typically mounted with holes that are drilled at
specific spacings in a supply pipe or tube with nozzle bodies being
clamped to such locations. However, this arrangement can be
restrictive in several ways. For example, the boom design may be
restricted to providing space for only the particular relationship
of nozzle and feed line. Manufacturers must maintain inventor of
drilled pipes for every spacing on every section of every boom
length offered. Dealers ordering stock units must guess what
spacing a future buyer might desire or risk the cost of parts and
labor for a conversion. Operators and resellers may be restricted
to only that spacing unless the feed line is replaced. Flow may be
restricted by the diameter of the drilled hole. Moreover, on
occasions when a user may wish to spray two products at once, room
must be found for a complete second feed line with nozzles. A need
therefore exists for an improved spray system that eliminates one
or more of the foregoing disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a spray system for an
agricultural machine in which multiple spray nozzles for spraying a
liquid product can be dynamically arranged in number and location
along a preconfigured rail acting as a boom. Each spray nozzle can
include an attachment arrangement for conveniently attaching,
tightening, loosening and/or detaching the spray nozzle with
respect to the rail. In one aspect, the attachment arrangement can
comprise a fastener configured to tighten or loosen a clip with
respect to a body for engaging the rail. A separate product line
for supplying liquid product to the spray nozzles can flexibly
include numerous ports, more than there are spray nozzles, with
some ports attaching to spray nozzles via branch lines, and other
ports being sealed to inhibit flow.
Accordingly, in one aspect, a rail type mounting system can be
configured for nozzle bodies on agricultural sprayers which allow
multiple combinations of spacings and product flow. A feed line
with enough ports to accommodate a maximum number of nozzles can be
fitted to a sprayer boom independent of nozzle location. A railing
can also be fitted for the attachment of the nozzles. Clip on
nozzles can attach to the railing at any spacing desired. Branch
hoses can connect the feed line to each nozzle.
Many issues can be resolved by mounting the nozzles on the rail
independent of the feed lin. The feed line can be remotely mounted.
Bodies can be added and/or subtracted at any time. Manufacturers
can ship machines with a limited number of nozzle spacings, such as
one, and end users can custom tailor spacings to suit their
particular needs. The clip can be made to break away if the nozzle
is impacted. This part is easily replaced and affordable. The
branch hose can act as a lanyard to retain the nozzle body if
broken off. This can work well with nozzle body flushing systems,
flow meters and flow switches. Markings on the rail can identify
standard nozzle spacings. Also, the rail could be integral to a
boom structure. Push to connect fittings and stackable nozzle
bodies can be used. Different shaped rails, or finite spacings
could be established.
Specifically, then, one aspect of the invention can include a spray
system for an agricultural machine, including: a nozzle assembly
for spraying a liquid product; and an attachment arrangement
coupled to the nozzle assembly, the attachment arrangement and the
nozzle assembly together forming a nozzle system, in which the
nozzle system is configured to move along a rail through multiple
positions upon unlocking the attachment arrangement with respect to
the rail, and in which the nozzle system is configured to securely
mount to a given position of the multiple positions for spraying a
liquid product upon locking the attachment arrangement with respect
to the rail.
Another aspect of the invention can include: a self-propelled
agricultural vehicle, including: a chassis supporting a cab and
having multiple wheels for moving the vehicle; a liquid product
application system supported by the chassis, the liquid product
application system including a rail and multiple nozzle systems,
each nozzle system including: a nozzle assembly for spraying a
liquid product; and an attachment arrangement coupled to the nozzle
assembly, in which each nozzle system is configured to move along
the rail through multiple positions upon unlocking the attachment
arrangement with respect to the rail, and in which each nozzle
system is configured to securely mount to a given position of the
multiple positions for spraying a liquid product upon locking the
attachment arrangement with respect to the rail.
Other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be
understood, however, that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present
invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation.
Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the
present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and
the invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals
represent like parts throughout.
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of self-propelled off-road
agricultural vehicle with a spray system in accordance with an
aspect of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a spray system in accordance with an
aspect of the invention;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an attachment arrangement and rail
of the spray system of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the attachment arrangement and rail of
FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an alternative spray system in
accordance with another aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1, a spray
system explained in greater detail elsewhere herein is shown for
use with an exemplar self-propelled off-road agricultural vehicle.
The self-propelled off-road agricultural vehicle is shown here by
way of example as a self-propelled sprayer 15. The sprayer 15 is
shown as a front-mounted boom self-propelled sprayer such as those
available from CNH Industrial, including the Miller Nitro and the
New Holland Guardian Series front-mounted boom sprayers. Although
the sprayer 15 is shown as a front-mounted boom self-propelled
sprayer, it is understood that self-propelled versions of the
sprayer 15 can have either front-mounted, mid-mount, or
rear-mounted booms, as well as boom-less sprayers, tiered booms,
and detachable sprayers.
Still referring to FIG. 1, sprayer 15 includes wheels 18 supporting
a chassis 20 having chassis frame 25 that supports various
assemblies, systems, and components. These various assemblies,
systems, and components include a cab 30, and an application system
shown as spray arrangement 35, and a hydrostatic drivetrain system
40. Spray arrangement 35 includes storage containers such as a
rinse tank 50 storing water or a rinsing solution and a product
tank 55 that stores a volume of product 60 for delivery onto an
agricultural field with sprayer 15. Product 60 includes any of a
variety of agricultural liquid products, such as various
pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, liquid fertilizers, and other
liquids including liquid suspensions beneficial for application
onto agricultural fields. A product delivery pump 36 conveys
product 60 from product tank 55 through plumbing components such as
interconnected pieces of tubing and through a foldable and
height-adjustable boom of a boom system 70 for release out of spray
nozzle assemblies 71 that are spaced from each other along the
width of the boom during spraying operations of sprayer 15.
Referring now to FIG. 2, an isometric view of a spray system 100 is
provided in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The spray
system 100 can include a spray nozzle assembly 71 for spraying the
liquid product 60 and an attachment arrangement 102 coupled to the
nozzle assembly 71. Accordingly, the attachment arrangement 102 and
the nozzle assembly 71 together form a nozzle system 104. The
nozzle system 104 can be configured to move along a rail 106 or
frame, infinitely through multiple positions, upon unlocking the
attachment arrangement 102 with respect to the rail 106. In
addition, the nozzle system 104 can be configured to securely mount
to a given position of the multiple positions for spraying the
liquid product 60 during spray operations upon locking the
attachment arrangement 102 with respect to the rail 106. In one
aspect, the boom system 70 may be the rail 106. However, in another
aspect, the boom system 70 can comprise a separate structure
supporting the rail 106.
With additional reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one aspect, the
attachment arrangement 102 can comprise a fastener 108 configured
to tighten and loosen the attachment arrangement 102 with respect
to the rail 106, thereby providing the locking and unlocking,
respectively. The attachment arrangement 102 can further comprise a
clip 112 that is movable with respect to a body 114. An integral
hinge 116 of the clip can rotatably fit in a socket of the body
114. The fastener 108, which could be a screw, is configured to
tighten or loosen an arm 118 of the clip 112 with respect to the
body 114 with the rail 106 in between. For example, by tightening
the fastener 108, the hinge 116 rotates toward the body 114 to
compress the rail 106 in between the arm 118 and the body 114,
thereby locking the attachment arrangement 102 with respect to the
rail 106. Conversely, by loosening the fastener 108, the hinge 116
rotates away from the body 114 to release the rail 106 in between
the arm 118 and the body 114, thereby unlocking the attachment
arrangement 102 with respect to the rail 106.
In one aspect, the clip 112 and the body 114 can be configured to
attach around opposing upper and lower lips 118a and 118b,
respectively, which extending transversely with respect to the rail
106, along a front facing longitudinal direction. This can allow
the arm 118 and the body 114 to form inwardly opposing upper and
lower hooks 119a and 119b, respectively, for securely retaining the
nozzle system 104 to the rail 106 when the clip 112 and the body
114 are compressed with the rail 106 in between. Accordingly, upon
unlocking the attachment arrangement 102 with respect to the rail
106, the attachment arrangement 102 can slide laterally along the
rail 106, in a direction 120 (see FIG. 2), through multiple
positions, while still being retained to the rail 106. Similarly,
upon locking the attachment arrangement 102 with respect to the
rail 106, the attachment arrangement 102 can be securely mounted to
a given position, with any movement with respect to the rail 106
being inhibited.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the spray system 100 can further include
a product line 124 coupled to the nozzle system 104. The product
line 124 can be configured to supply the liquid product 60 to the
nozzle system 104. A branch line 126, which could be a flexible
hose, can connect one of multiple ports of the product line 124,
such as a first port 128a, to the nozzle system 104. Accordingly,
the product line can comprise numerous apertures or ports 128, more
than there are spray nozzle assemblies 71, for supplying the liquid
product 60. In this example, the first port 128a is coupled to the
attachment arrangement 102 by the branch line 126. However, a
second port 128b (adjacent to the first port 128a), and a third
port 128c (adjacent to the second port 128b), are sealed to inhibit
the flow of the liquid product 60.
The nozzle system 104 can receive the liquid product 60 through the
attachment arrangement 102, allowing the liquid product 60 to flow
from the attachment arrangement 102 to the nozzle assembly 71. An
optional flow meter 129 can be configured in the attachment
arrangement 102 for measuring liquid product 60 flow through the
attachment arrangement 102 to the nozzle assembly 71. An
electronically controlled solenoid 130 of the nozzle assembly 71
can operate to open or close an orifice 132 of the nozzle assembly
71, as determined by a control system, for conducting or ceasing
spray operations. With reference again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the
attachment arrangement 102 can include liquid flow ingress and
egress apertures 134a and 134b, respectively, with an internal
channel therebetween for enabling such liquid flow. The branch line
126 can connect to the ingress aperture 134a, and the nozzle
assembly 71 can connect to the egress aperture 134b, each in any
number of ways. For example, as shown, the branch line 126 can
connect to the ingress aperture 134a via push to connect in which
the branch line is pushed into the aperture and captively retained
by barbs in the aperture. Also, as shown, the nozzle assembly 71
can connect to the egress aperture 134b via an O-ring and groove
for retaining a wire clip for captively retaining the nozzle
assembly 71.
In addition, still referring to FIG. 2, the rail 106 can include
multiple marks 133 or other indicia at predetermined locations for
identifying various desirable positions for nozzle assemblies 71.
The marks 133 can identify standard nozzle spacings for various
configurations, including with spacing according to English and/or
metric measurements, and in different colors. This can allow rapid
configuration of the spray system.
Also, referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the clip 112 can be constructed
to break away from the body 114, and the rest of the nozzle system
104, at a dimensionally thinned break point 136 (see FIG. 4). This
could occur, for example, if the nozzle system 104 is impacted
harshly by another object, such as tree branches. The clip 112
breaking away from the body 114 essentially breaks the lock,
thereby allowing the nozzle system 104 to release freely from the
rail 106, thereby minimizing damage. The clip 112 can be easily
replaced and is affordable. Moreover, the branch line 126 can act
as a lanyard to retain the nozzle system 104 to the sprayer 15 if
broken off.
Referring now to FIG. 5, an isometric view of an alternative spray
system 200, where like numerals refer to like parts throughout, is
provided in accordance with another aspect of the invention. In the
alternative spray system 200, the branch line 126 can connect to a
port of the product line 124 via an O-ring and groove receiving a
wire clip 138 for captively retaining the branch line 126.
Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying
out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the above
invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various
additions, modifications and rearrangements of the features of the
present invention may be made without deviating from the spirit and
the scope of the underlying inventive concept.
* * * * *